Left a movie last night, 10ish.

About 2 blocks away, the car idles a little rough. Not badly, just enough to notice a difference. At the stop light the car dies. Repeatedly tried to start to no avail.

Pushed car to parking space, left for about an hour, and returned. Car started, ran briefly (5-10 seconds) then died out. Tried again, and car ran for about half that time before dying. Wouldn't start again.

Before getting on the train back to SF (about 20-30 min later) went back and same thing. Car started, ran for very short time, then died. Won't restart.

No smoke or steam from exhaust, so I doubt it's a head gasket.
All fluid levels checked & normal.

Car, 2002 B4C Camaro, automatic.

175,000 miles, car ran perfectly up till last night.

No evidence of fuel tank tampering (sugar or anything like that).

I'm guessing fuel pump (my '97 Z28 experienced sudden failure at 40K and it was a fuel pump), but I think I recall the CHP changing it out when they owned the car.

Hoping it's not the fuel pump.

Any other ideas on what this might be?

(I have this on 2 threads because I need to get as many ideas as quickly as possible since I'm going to have it towed later this morning)

 

Next thing I'd check is the fuel filter.

 

Have you tried jumping the pump to make sure that's your problem?

 

Can you hear the fuel pump running if you turn the key to ON without engaging the starter? You should hear a whirring sound from the back of the car, lasting ~5 seconds.

 

Bet its the fuel filter. Once you stop the sediment will settle a little and allow flow. If its clogged it wont take long to clot. If you take to a mechanic, they will prob. say you need a new pump...be careful!!!! Check the air filter as well. Possibly the IAC could be bad???

 

If you have, or can get access to a fuel pressure gauge, it will be an easy way of ruling whether it is a fuel related problem or not.